*The "up to" speed displayed in Mb is the maximum possible speed you are likely to receive for this product. The actual speed you will get depends on your cabling, your area and (with non-fibre optic products) time of day and how far you are from the telephone exchange. Most providers will tell you the likely speed you will receive when you begin your online sign up - this may differ from the speed displayed in the table.

The deals available at your postcode are subject to local availability. The provider will confirm availability for your line.

We aim to take the strain out of broadband comparison. Good broadband deals aren't just about the price, it's also about what's included in the product, the speeds offered and any extra incentives providers are offering. To balance all of these, we have developed a ranking formula that takes into account deals that are proving to be popular with our customers, that are competitive in the maket and have a smooth switching process.

If you prefer, you can sort deals by the average monthly cost, which is all of the costs - including any compulsory upfront costs such as router delivery or installation fee - divided by the length of the contract. Or you can sort by the total contract cost for all packages which let’s you see the total spend for the whole contract period

uSwitch services are provided at no cost to you, but we may receive a commission from the companies we refer you to.

Cheap broadband deals are easier to track down than you might expect. As the cost of living continues to rise, belt-tightening is more important than ever before and internet service providers (ISPs) are responding with the cheapest broadband deals so far.

Shop around and you can, in fact, find deals that offer free broadband. From the cheapest broadband packages to the more expensive bigger bundle packs, many broadband packages now offer a free introductory period.

To make their broadband packages as attractive as possible in these hard times, ISPs have even have to start throwing in freebies, such as vouchers, loyalty card points and internet tablets.

Combat the downturn with budget broadband bundle offers

For those of us looking to cut back on our monthly bills, a cheap broadband starter pack can get everything you need, while leaving you with some spare cash to spend elsewhere.

If you sign up to some broadband packages you may not have to pay a penny for your broadband for 12 months or more. Landline charges will still apply during this time, however.

Of course, you should also remember you will have to pay at some point, so you may want to make sure you budget for this once you have to start paying for your broadband!

Some of the most appealing cheap broadband packages are those that give us great deals on something else on top of our broadband.

Cheap broadband is increasingly becoming more about a whole home entertainment package, and ISPs have cottoned on to the fact that budget broadband bundles that take extra services are what we want.

Cheap Broadband gets you started

Taking out a cheap broadband package is great if you're not sure which package is right for you.

It's also good to know you can always upgrade to a more costly package later on, whereas you may have to wait until the end of the contract to downgrade.

Some of the cheapest broadband deals on the market are basic or starter packs. These cheap broadband starter packs usually come with a free wireless router as well as free home phone calls.

Benefits of cheap broadband

Light users or browsers Some of us only want to use the internet at the weekends or in the evenings, just to check our email and maybe browse a few internet shops. Cheap broadband packages are a great way for light internet users to have access to emails and online shopping.

Beginners If you're just getting started with the internet, it's really not worth signing up to an expensive long term contract with a hefty usage limit. You may well find that you are a techy in the making and end up becoming a heavy internet user, but it definitely makes sense to sign up for a cheap package - you can always upgrade later!

Students If you want to save your pennies for books or beers, then finding the cheapest broadband deal will be a top priority. Several of the top ISPs cater to your needs with cheap broadband deals designed to fulfil students' requirements. With dedicated student deals making broadband cheap as chips, why would you pay more?

Low cost broadband providers:

Cheap AOL Broadband deals

AOL's cheap broadband packages are great if you are just starting out with broadband.

Even AOL's cheap broadband packages come with a free wireless router. And if you go for bundle options you will also get free off-peak or anytime phone calls thrown in.

AOL's cheapest broadband deal offers:

Up to 8Mbps download speed (depending on line & location).* A wireless router.* Zero hassle set-up.* Easy-install pack with step-by-step instructions.* 2,500 experts to talk to for free-phone technical advice, 8am till midnight.* No hidden charges.* There’s no set up fee, just BT line rental required.

Cheap Virgin Media broadband deals

Though not available to everyone, Virgin Media's cheapest broadband package is one of the cheapest broadband deals around. For not much outlay, you get unlimited downloads, a connection of up to 50Mbps, free weekend calls, modem and PC guard. The best thing about Virgin Media is that you don't have to pay line rental, spelling potential savings of hundreds of pounds over the course of your contract.

Virgin Media's cheapest broadband deal gets you:

Up to 50Mbps service.* No download limits.* PCguard2: Protect your PC with anti-virus, firewall & pop-up blocker.* A modem to connect you to the internet.* Help when you need it, online and on the phone.

Cheap TalkTalk broadband

TalkTalk Essentials is a great deal, giving you a free wireless router, off-peak calls and inclusive broadband.

Despite not historically being the cheapest ISP out there, Sky has responded to the credit crunch with really competitive cheap home broadband deals. Sky's entry-level deal is available for a cut-price if you're an existing Sky TV customer - great for those of us looking to make savings across the board.

Things to consider when buying cheap broadband

Something that seems like a great cheap broadband deal could actually turn out to be a false economy if it doesn't give you everything that you want. When signing up for a cheap broadband deal, you should consider several things:

Speed

Download allowance

Contract length

It is also worth checking whether there are any hidden costs that come with cheap broadband deals. Some ISPs will make money from you by selling you a cheap broadband package then adding extras at a cost, for example:

Introductory periods: How long does the headline price last and what is the price when this finishes? It's worth bearing in mind that some of the cheapest broadband deals out there are half-price for the first three months and then will cost you twice the advertised price for the rest of the 12 or 24 month period.You should always check out any price conditions. At uSwitch Tech, we try to clearly label any price conditions on our comparison tables so you get a good idea of how much the deals will cost you in the long term.

Excess usage costs: If you go beyond your monthly allocated allowance what price do you pay? The cheapest broadband packages are great value for the average internet user. However, if you know that you are a heavy internet user and that you are likely to repeatedly go over your download limit, it may well be worth investing a little more money to get a bigger download allowance than what's included in the cheapest broadband packages.* Set-up charges: How much does it cost to set up your contract? Most ISPs don’t charge anything for set-up but it’s worth finding out, particularly if you are installing new hardware.* Hardware costs: Do you have to pay for a router, and if you do, do you have to have a router? You may already have a working router at home. If you do, it’s worth finding out if you can use it with your new plan, instead of paying for a new one.
Delivery charges Make sure you find out about all delivery costs if you are going to have new broadband hardware sent to you in the post. Most of the major ISPs will send you everything you need for free, but it’s worth checking so you don’t get stung for P&P.

With the rising cost of living forcing everyone to make cutbacks and savings, it could be well worth your while to switching to a new broadband provider.

Finding the cheapest broadband deals is easy using the table above. As utility bills go sky-high, it's reassuring to know you can find a great cheap broadband deal to make savings without sacrificing your connection!

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